In response to the government’s announcement that it will work with local authorities to extend the hours in which deliveries can be made to ensure shops remain stocked with essential items amid stockpiling concerns, Natalie Chapman, Head of Urban Policy at FTA, comments:

“The government’s announcement that it will work with local authorities to extend the hours in which deliveries can be made is a practical and sensible approach to support retailers during this period of unprecedented demand for basic items. FTA has been urging government to enable restrictions to be relaxed on night-time deliveries for several years; we hope this temporary measure will be soon be considered for permanency. Retiming deliveries to quieter periods has the potential to reduce road congestion while delivering a number of social benefits, such as improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased road safety during the busiest periods of the day.

FTA has worked with the Noise Abatement Society and Transport for London to develop measures to support the retiming of deliveries to out of peak hours and the shoulders of the day and overnight whilst not disturbing residents. We hope the government will learn lessons from this temporary measure and consider ways to support local authorities in permanently relaxing delivery restrictions to allow for more innovative, flexible solutions to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

Efficient logistics is vital to keep the UK trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.

FTA is one of the biggest business groups in the UK, supporting, shaping and standing up for safe and efficient logistics. They are the only business group in the UK that represents all of logistics, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.